This week, a California native moved into Texas. In-N-Out Burger from California opened two new restaurants in North Texas. One's in my hometown of Allen, the other is in Frisco. I heard from everyone about the lines. It was all over the news for several days. People camped out at the restaurants to be there on opening day. People sat in line for hours (HOURS!!) to get into the drive through. Seriously??!!
How people can sit in line for hours is beyond me. My daughter and some friends from school went there on Thursday. My daughter told me the fries were "heavenly". Our text 'conversation' was this:
A=J*sus.
M=Language.
A=Sorry! These fries are godly!
M=I hate you. ((note to readers--I just got braces on Monday, so am not eating "real" food, hence the mean words to my daughter.))
A=Don't worry. I saved you some. XD
Until I-N-O showed up, the 'big' burger chain in town was Whataburger. That's a Texas burger joint that I've come to enjoy. I prefer it over McD's. As far as I'm concerned, NOBODY does a burger like Whataburger. Well, wait. Mooyah's (another local burger joint) is pretty good AND they support the Band! I'm all for places that support the Band. Yes, shameless plug there.
I lived in California for several years and never once made it to In-N-Out. I never paid attention to it. It was just another restaurant, like Carl's Jr. Well now it's in my face because it's in my city. Eventually I *might* try it, but for now, I'll stay with Whataburger.
I wonder how long it'll take for the burger hype to die down? I won't be going to I-N-O because if I'm hungry, I want to EAT! I don't want to wait 2-3 hours to get up to a drive through and I certainly don't want to wait in line for a 'fast food' fix. I'd go to a major restaurant. Before I did that, I'd make reservations!!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Puppy moves out
It never fails to amaze me how some people feel that it's their given right to judge a person for the choices they make. I have been dealing with Hero for the past several weeks and after he bit my son, we gave up on him. My husband is relatively unrelenting in this. He has said that the dog must go.
I found him a home and he'll be going to his new home on Saturday. I'm sad, but relieved, too, because he'll go to a home where there are other dogs to play with, he won't have time to chew or dig everything in sight (but he's "JUST A PUPPY!!") and my back yard won't be a mud pit any longer.
Tonight I caught him trying to eat one of the sprinkler heads and that was not cool. I had to chase him off my son because he has decided that my son is a chew toy. It's not making me happy. I don't know how to train a dog. Things have changed since I was younger and living with my mother at home with all her dogs. This is a HUSKY. He's a serious dog. I don't like "giving up" but I can't have him eating my family members or my yard. My husband is extremely agitated that the dog ate his raspberry. The raspberry was planted a month ago and is chewed to the ground. He's been attacking the Japanese Maple but is squirted when he gets near it.
Today at work, someone asked about the dog. I told her that he was moving out and she said, "you should have told me. I'd take him. I'd keep him inside." (he's an outside dog--howls in his crate any time he's locked into it)
I felt like it was a slap at me, even though I'm sure it wasn't. I don't believe that a dog has to be treated as a demi-god. I've been down that road. My mother's a prime example. Her gods are treated as demi-gods. This annoys me no end. She won't even visit her GRANDCHILDREN and they're human and 2 footed. Her 4 footed critters are her "babies" and that's her thing. She won't drive 2 hours to visit us. Of course, I kind of play the same game--I don't go the 2 hours to visit her. It's not a good thing, but there it is. I still am not forgiving that she won't recognize my kids. Ah well. I'll forgive and forget. Or not.
So, Hero is moving out to a friend's house. Her boyfriend wants him. He's got property and dogs for Hero to play with.
I'm sorry it didn't work out. I'm sorry that I'm such a horrible person who can't train a 12 week old puppy, who is overwhelmed and out of her league.
Thank goodness I'm not trying to do car repair, you know??
I found him a home and he'll be going to his new home on Saturday. I'm sad, but relieved, too, because he'll go to a home where there are other dogs to play with, he won't have time to chew or dig everything in sight (but he's "JUST A PUPPY!!") and my back yard won't be a mud pit any longer.
Tonight I caught him trying to eat one of the sprinkler heads and that was not cool. I had to chase him off my son because he has decided that my son is a chew toy. It's not making me happy. I don't know how to train a dog. Things have changed since I was younger and living with my mother at home with all her dogs. This is a HUSKY. He's a serious dog. I don't like "giving up" but I can't have him eating my family members or my yard. My husband is extremely agitated that the dog ate his raspberry. The raspberry was planted a month ago and is chewed to the ground. He's been attacking the Japanese Maple but is squirted when he gets near it.
Today at work, someone asked about the dog. I told her that he was moving out and she said, "you should have told me. I'd take him. I'd keep him inside." (he's an outside dog--howls in his crate any time he's locked into it)
I felt like it was a slap at me, even though I'm sure it wasn't. I don't believe that a dog has to be treated as a demi-god. I've been down that road. My mother's a prime example. Her gods are treated as demi-gods. This annoys me no end. She won't even visit her GRANDCHILDREN and they're human and 2 footed. Her 4 footed critters are her "babies" and that's her thing. She won't drive 2 hours to visit us. Of course, I kind of play the same game--I don't go the 2 hours to visit her. It's not a good thing, but there it is. I still am not forgiving that she won't recognize my kids. Ah well. I'll forgive and forget. Or not.
So, Hero is moving out to a friend's house. Her boyfriend wants him. He's got property and dogs for Hero to play with.
I'm sorry it didn't work out. I'm sorry that I'm such a horrible person who can't train a 12 week old puppy, who is overwhelmed and out of her league.
Thank goodness I'm not trying to do car repair, you know??
Monday, April 18, 2011
Missing a piece of me
I miss my karate. I miss being able to go to a class and work hard. I miss being able to say "I can do ___ (fill in the blanks)". I miss the hard work it took to prepare for my black belt test. I miss the camaraderie I had with my classmates. Eventually everyone moves on. Things change.
When I changed schools, I didn't feel like I was doing well. In fact, I wasn't. I was completely out of my element. I was overwhelmed by my own insecurities. I have been accused of feeling sorry for myself. I've been accused of not working to earn what I wanted. I have been accused of being a "whiner".
I'm back to thinking about karate. I spent a few weeks working on reading a book called Zen in the Martial Arts by Joel Hyams. Very good read. I have had it for close to a year and just got around to reading it. Now that I've read it, I'm back to thinking that I need to start back into training. I may never advance from Cho Dan to anything else, but it'll at least be a chance to say "I did something for me, something I wanted to do." Now all I need to do is either make good on my threats to myself or shut up.
It's time to start working on what I miss.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Puppy mumbles
We have a puppy who is completely crazy. He's going to be a very BIG dog...if his feet are any indication of potential size!
The other night we had a lot of rain and wind. I brought him into the house and put him into his crate. He, of course, doesn't like the crate, being that he's not been confined to it for long periods of time. He spent the evening grumbling, griping and generally making lots of noise. My cat went and hid because he didn't like the noise. As he left the living room, he hissed at the pup, then disappeared under the bed.
While we were waiting for the storm to blow through, we turned off the lights and headed for bed. The pup decided to continue to grumble and whine. He made a funny noise (a mrrmmmppp, mrrmmp type of noise) that had me laughing in the other room. He continued to whine and grumble until I put him back out at eleven-ish.
I'm still learning about how to be a responsible dog owner. I don't believe that my dog should be made a revered member of the family, but I think he's treated well--he has shelter, he's played with and fed. Now all I have to do is to get him housebroken, stop him from chewing everything and anything in sight and get him to the point where my son isn't afraid of him.
Once that happens, he may be a well behaved dog.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Final class
Hello! Did you miss me? I've been busy with my online schoolwork lately, so haven't made time for my blog. I've learned quite a LOT in the past several weeks. One of the things I've learned is that I don't know as much as I think I know!
I scored a 97% on my final exam, so I'm confident that I made an "A" in the class. It wasn't about the "A" though, it was about learning to write. I suffer from a lot of negativity, whether it's real or not. I have to work on my own insecurities and work through them. I cannot spend all my time being afraid to write. That's what I've been up until recently.
It took me almost two weeks to get caught up because I let myself slack off. I had a few days off last week to hang out with my husband for our anniversary (20 years) and I pushed myself to sit down and read my work. Plus, I did the assignments that were in the lessons. Now that I've been through one class, I'm thinking that I need to go ahead and attack a couple of other classes. I may have to put myself into an actual SCHOOL setting, not just an online setting. Sure, the online setting is great because I can do it in my own time, but at the same time, the fact that it's online gives me more time to slack off and not write. Or whatever I'm doing.
I feel pretty good about the piece of writing I started this morning. It's about my first Martial Arts class. I didn't let that nasty little voice in my head get to me. I just woke up, went out, played with the puppy and then came in and attacked my work. I feel pretty good about it.
Now that the class is over, I plan on writing in my blog a little more. I plan on setting some goals and accomplishing them. I may even share those goals.
Would you like to come along for the ride?
I scored a 97% on my final exam, so I'm confident that I made an "A" in the class. It wasn't about the "A" though, it was about learning to write. I suffer from a lot of negativity, whether it's real or not. I have to work on my own insecurities and work through them. I cannot spend all my time being afraid to write. That's what I've been up until recently.
It took me almost two weeks to get caught up because I let myself slack off. I had a few days off last week to hang out with my husband for our anniversary (20 years) and I pushed myself to sit down and read my work. Plus, I did the assignments that were in the lessons. Now that I've been through one class, I'm thinking that I need to go ahead and attack a couple of other classes. I may have to put myself into an actual SCHOOL setting, not just an online setting. Sure, the online setting is great because I can do it in my own time, but at the same time, the fact that it's online gives me more time to slack off and not write. Or whatever I'm doing.
I feel pretty good about the piece of writing I started this morning. It's about my first Martial Arts class. I didn't let that nasty little voice in my head get to me. I just woke up, went out, played with the puppy and then came in and attacked my work. I feel pretty good about it.
Now that the class is over, I plan on writing in my blog a little more. I plan on setting some goals and accomplishing them. I may even share those goals.
Would you like to come along for the ride?
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Creative Writing
I've now had two Creative Writing lessons. The first one was to write an introduction to yourself. I don't do very well at introductions. She wanted us to write a little bit about who we are and why we're taking the class. My intro was very short...and it wasn't interesting enough to get anyone's interest. I just didn't know what I wanted to say. I wrote that I was a highly stressed 45 year old mother of two who was also a martial artist, that I was taking the writing class to try to hone my writing skills.
My second lesson, on Friday, was a lesson on writing descriptively. The assignment was to light a candle and then describe the candle
Here's what I wrote:
My second lesson, on Friday, was a lesson on writing descriptively. The assignment was to light a candle and then describe the candle
Here's what I wrote:
The candle is a dusky red, reminiscent of the apples the scent is advertised to be on the jar . I light my match and apply it to the wick. The flame catches slightly, then takes and the wick begins to burn. I hold the match until that flame is nothing but a tiny ember, then run the tap in the sink and immerse it underneath, to quench the ember. My candle flame flickers, growing first shorter, then taller as it burns. The flame reaches above the rim of the candle jar, its end pointy and alternately yellow, orange and then black from the smoke. The smoke from the flame is straight, then circular, and back to straight. As the wick burns, the wax below it widens out slowly, from a shallow indentation to a deeper well. The wick is black at the end, but down in the candle, the wick is still a pristine red. The flame leans in toward me, then retreats toward the other side of the jar. As it does, I watch the smoke rise and the air shimmer above it with a suppressed promise of heat and potential destruction if not monitored closely.
Copyright M. Nico 2/19/11
The instructor said that words such as "dancing" were ones people typically use when they describe flames. I tried to convey a slightly different thought with my candle.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Going back to school!!
I finally did something that I've been wanting to do for a while. I'm going to be taking a Creative Writing class online starting February 16th. I've already decided to put aside a couple of evenings a week to work on my homework. I WANT to get ahead in the world. I've already come to the conclusion that I'm not going to advance very far in my job so I'm going to do something that will benefit me. I'm excited by the fact that I've gotten myself into a writing class. I'm considering taking a course in English to try to get my degree. Someone asked me on Facebook what I would want an English degree for. I said that I could write. I also said that I could potentially go to work as a substitute teacher if possible. That would work for me. Higher education is always a plus.
I'm excited that I've taken the first step. I'm really looking forward to going to school again!!!
I'm excited that I've taken the first step. I'm really looking forward to going to school again!!!
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Catching up
Thursday, I had surgery to remove a "branchial cleft cyst" from my neck. It was on the left side of my neck and was pushing out the muscle. Nobody knew it was there, except for me, and that was only because I sometimes pay attention to things. One of the things I had been noticing was that my face was "puffy". It wasn't where it had been. Usually, when I smile, I have "dimples" and "brackets" on both sides of my mouth. The bracket wasn't on the left at all. It was filled in. I looked haggard, as well (in my opinion). I had a puffy spot just below my jaw on the left.
When I went to my regular doctor, he sent me to an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat doctor). We agreed in October that we'd watch it and see if it changed. It did not, so in December, he sent me off to have an MRI. That was the beginning of the whole thing. The MRI showed this lump...it was about 3.5-4 cm, I think. I'm not sure as I wasn't measuring it. The doctor read the reports, looked at the pictures and decided that he wanted to biopsy my thyroid too, as that showed a nodule on it. That came back negative (YAY ME!), but we still needed to do something about the lump in the side of my neck.
When I saw the doctor in January, he got things going and we scheduled surgery for February 3rd.
I was scheduled to have my pre-op tests (EKG, etc) on the 1st, but that didn't happen as planned. I got to the hospital, was checked in, but they didn't have orders. They couldn't get in touch with the doctor's office because we had had an ice storm Monday night and nobody was in the office. No big deal. We just went over my medical history, then I left. I was told to return at 8:00 am on Thursday.
Thursday came and I went to the hospital with my husband. I got there, they took me to the back, put me in a room and had me gown up in the typical hospital gown. Then they came in and tried to start an IV. The one nurse stuck me once but the vein blew. She tried a second time and the other vein blew. Then she called in reinforcements, who tried on my arm. THAT vein blew! (I was dehydrated, which didn't help). They finally got the IV into my left hand (thank you, not the right!!), ran the EKG (normal!) and then had me take one last test (apparently, if you're a female, no matter how old you are, you get this test).
The anesthesiologist came in, talked to me and told me how things would go. Then his assistant came in and gave me my first "shot" into my IV. I was coherent until about 9:45 when I think they came in to take me to the OR.
The next thing I know, I'm waking up in recovery, being sick (thanks to being extubated) and listening to the nurses talk to the guy across from me who was fighting to lay on a hip that they had just replaced. I went back to sleep because they gave me a dose of something to prevent me from being nauseous and slept for another hour. When I woke up, my doctor came in and talked to me. He was able to get the entire cyst, without taking my tonsils (that was a concern, that the cyst had compromised my tonsils) and I was going to be fine. The only thing he said was that he'd had to cut a nerve in my face, a 'sensory nerve' and he thought it would have affected my ear. Surprise...not my ear, but under my chin. I now feel like I've been hit with a huge dose of Novacaine. Right now, the numbness moves around from my incision to the side of my jaw and back to underneath my chin.
The surgery was "outpatient" surgery, which meant that I got the time in the OR, plus 23 hours in observation. I spent the night, quite restlessly, having my blood pressure taken, getting an IV infusion of antibiotics, sleeping through various programs on television and annoying my nurses. I had a lovely young lady from Nepal who was my night nurse. She was sweet and very kind. She took pictures of the snowfall that we had Thursday night and showed them to me when I woke up at 4:30. I was awake off and on from 4:30 until 7:00, when my husband showed up with my clothes. The nurses came in and told me that my doctor wouldn't be in to see me in the morning as he was snowed into his house (6-8 inches of snow fell Thursday night. Texas isn't used to that!).
They discharged me and I was free to come home. We got here about 9:00, after leaving around 8:00. I was very happy to get here. My cat was waiting for me--he missed my lap, apparently!
There are no restrictions on my activity. I haven't taken a single pain killer since I left the hospital. They would have written me a prescription for oxycodone, but I didn't want it and don't need it. I just have to get used to having stitches in my neck and the numbness, which I hope will go away when he takes the stitches out on Tuesday. I'm off from work all week, and will work on sleeping (yes!!), and getting re-hydrated. I know that part of the problem with the blown veins was me, but I'll work on that.
Now to move on to bigger and better things!!
When I went to my regular doctor, he sent me to an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat doctor). We agreed in October that we'd watch it and see if it changed. It did not, so in December, he sent me off to have an MRI. That was the beginning of the whole thing. The MRI showed this lump...it was about 3.5-4 cm, I think. I'm not sure as I wasn't measuring it. The doctor read the reports, looked at the pictures and decided that he wanted to biopsy my thyroid too, as that showed a nodule on it. That came back negative (YAY ME!), but we still needed to do something about the lump in the side of my neck.
When I saw the doctor in January, he got things going and we scheduled surgery for February 3rd.
I was scheduled to have my pre-op tests (EKG, etc) on the 1st, but that didn't happen as planned. I got to the hospital, was checked in, but they didn't have orders. They couldn't get in touch with the doctor's office because we had had an ice storm Monday night and nobody was in the office. No big deal. We just went over my medical history, then I left. I was told to return at 8:00 am on Thursday.
Thursday came and I went to the hospital with my husband. I got there, they took me to the back, put me in a room and had me gown up in the typical hospital gown. Then they came in and tried to start an IV. The one nurse stuck me once but the vein blew. She tried a second time and the other vein blew. Then she called in reinforcements, who tried on my arm. THAT vein blew! (I was dehydrated, which didn't help). They finally got the IV into my left hand (thank you, not the right!!), ran the EKG (normal!) and then had me take one last test (apparently, if you're a female, no matter how old you are, you get this test).
The anesthesiologist came in, talked to me and told me how things would go. Then his assistant came in and gave me my first "shot" into my IV. I was coherent until about 9:45 when I think they came in to take me to the OR.
The next thing I know, I'm waking up in recovery, being sick (thanks to being extubated) and listening to the nurses talk to the guy across from me who was fighting to lay on a hip that they had just replaced. I went back to sleep because they gave me a dose of something to prevent me from being nauseous and slept for another hour. When I woke up, my doctor came in and talked to me. He was able to get the entire cyst, without taking my tonsils (that was a concern, that the cyst had compromised my tonsils) and I was going to be fine. The only thing he said was that he'd had to cut a nerve in my face, a 'sensory nerve' and he thought it would have affected my ear. Surprise...not my ear, but under my chin. I now feel like I've been hit with a huge dose of Novacaine. Right now, the numbness moves around from my incision to the side of my jaw and back to underneath my chin.
The surgery was "outpatient" surgery, which meant that I got the time in the OR, plus 23 hours in observation. I spent the night, quite restlessly, having my blood pressure taken, getting an IV infusion of antibiotics, sleeping through various programs on television and annoying my nurses. I had a lovely young lady from Nepal who was my night nurse. She was sweet and very kind. She took pictures of the snowfall that we had Thursday night and showed them to me when I woke up at 4:30. I was awake off and on from 4:30 until 7:00, when my husband showed up with my clothes. The nurses came in and told me that my doctor wouldn't be in to see me in the morning as he was snowed into his house (6-8 inches of snow fell Thursday night. Texas isn't used to that!).
They discharged me and I was free to come home. We got here about 9:00, after leaving around 8:00. I was very happy to get here. My cat was waiting for me--he missed my lap, apparently!
There are no restrictions on my activity. I haven't taken a single pain killer since I left the hospital. They would have written me a prescription for oxycodone, but I didn't want it and don't need it. I just have to get used to having stitches in my neck and the numbness, which I hope will go away when he takes the stitches out on Tuesday. I'm off from work all week, and will work on sleeping (yes!!), and getting re-hydrated. I know that part of the problem with the blown veins was me, but I'll work on that.
Now to move on to bigger and better things!!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Whose legs are these anyway?
Day three of my goal to work out daily at least 30 minutes a day. I wasted time this morning, trying to get the television set up to allow my "game". I was furious at myself when I finally got it working, so I pushed myself to work harder to make up for not getting started on time. I am working on the "Biggest Loser Challenge" Wii game. I set myself a goal of working out for 12 weeks. I have a lot of work to do in that time--get the exercise in and then I can move on to eating better.
I am now getting up earlier--that alarm is going to kill me at some point, I feel certain. I don't want to get up any earlier than when my alarm usually goes off, but I did. I have to admit that I pressed the snooze button once this morning, but got up after that. I'm going to have to condition myself to get up that early. It'll take a bit of practice. I can do it though.
I worked my lower body yesterday and today, I worked my upper body. My legs HURT!! I'm not sure why...I didn't do anything out of the ordinary, but still, my legs are super sore. I guess it's because I moved! Guess I will have to keep moving so that I can get past the pain. LOL!
My best "subject" so far is the squats today and the "slip" (think of it as a duck and punch thing). Oh, the pain! Cannot wait until tomorrow's workout....oh wait!! I don't have a workout tomorrow. It's supposed to be an "off" day, but I'm going to take it and run with it.
So...sore legs, check! Working out five times a week...heading there.
I am now getting up earlier--that alarm is going to kill me at some point, I feel certain. I don't want to get up any earlier than when my alarm usually goes off, but I did. I have to admit that I pressed the snooze button once this morning, but got up after that. I'm going to have to condition myself to get up that early. It'll take a bit of practice. I can do it though.
I worked my lower body yesterday and today, I worked my upper body. My legs HURT!! I'm not sure why...I didn't do anything out of the ordinary, but still, my legs are super sore. I guess it's because I moved! Guess I will have to keep moving so that I can get past the pain. LOL!
My best "subject" so far is the squats today and the "slip" (think of it as a duck and punch thing). Oh, the pain! Cannot wait until tomorrow's workout....oh wait!! I don't have a workout tomorrow. It's supposed to be an "off" day, but I'm going to take it and run with it.
So...sore legs, check! Working out five times a week...heading there.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Goal setting
I don't make "resolutions" because I tend to make excuses NOT to keep them. Friday night, I went to the game store with my son and picked up two games for the Wii for myself. I got a Biggest Loser Challenge game and a My Fitness Coach game. Yesterday morning, I decided that the BLC game would be better, so I pulled it out and attacked it. I set myself a goal, with the game, of working out 5 days a week, for 30 minutes at a time. Yesterday was day 1. Today was day 2.
I am sore, but feel great, all things considered. I'm going to set my alarm earlier than on normal so that I can put in a thirty minute workout daily. I've decided that I'm tired of being obese. I'm tired of carrying around a lot of excess on my knees. I am trying to be a healthy example for my children but it's not been happening. I can't provide them a healthy example if I'm not working out, losing weight and eating healthier.
I'm keeping records of my day--my eating and exercise. Once I get back into the habit of working out and journaling, I think I will feel much better about myself. I feel like this is a good goal and a positive start to my year.
I am sore, but feel great, all things considered. I'm going to set my alarm earlier than on normal so that I can put in a thirty minute workout daily. I've decided that I'm tired of being obese. I'm tired of carrying around a lot of excess on my knees. I am trying to be a healthy example for my children but it's not been happening. I can't provide them a healthy example if I'm not working out, losing weight and eating healthier.
I'm keeping records of my day--my eating and exercise. Once I get back into the habit of working out and journaling, I think I will feel much better about myself. I feel like this is a good goal and a positive start to my year.
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Tai Chi Saturday
This morning, I had a Tai Chi make up class because our last class of the cycle was canceled. I can't make the class on the 10th because of a prior commitment to Boy Scouts, so we had a make up class today. We met at one of the local malls that is reasonably quiet. There were two of us there. E and I were both there to take advantage of the additional training.
I warned Sifu (Sifu means 'teacher') that I hadn't been practicing. We went over a lot of basics and picked up from the "Four Corners" in our form and went on through "Chinese Guitar" and then to "Carry the Tiger over the Mountain". I think the form is really neat, even without the names of the sections.
Today, Sifu caught some mistakes I was making and corrected me. During Chinese Guitar, I have a tendency to not use my hips...actually, I have a tendency to not use them during most of the things I do, but she corrected me today. We practiced turning until I was able to turn my complete trunk. In Tai Chi, the entire trunk is from your neck down to just below your hips. I have a habit of forgetting that my hips are there, so when I turn, I put stress on my knees. Today was one of those "aha!" moments. The light came on After E left, I talked to Sifu and we went over Four Corners to Carry the Tiger over the Mountain, and then I showed her the opening of Kee Cho Hyung Il Bu (Basic form #1). I am actually using my hips and NOT flopping around or losing my balance. That's what I needed to be able to do. That form felt so much better than it's ever felt! I was pleased with myself for that! I don't feel like I was reaching past my knees (that's something I need to watch out for in Tai Chi) and I wasn't losing my balance. It made me happy to see how that went together. Tai Chi is about balance. I'm feeling like I saw a definite correlation between Tai Chi and Tang Soo Do.
I won't have another Tai Chi class until January 24th. I have a Zumba class starting on the 11th and running for a month. I'm seriously hoping that I see some weight loss sparked during that class as I'm sure it's going to be intense cardio. If that doesn't make me lose weight, I'm going to have a discussion with one of my doctors about that.
I warned Sifu (Sifu means 'teacher') that I hadn't been practicing. We went over a lot of basics and picked up from the "Four Corners" in our form and went on through "Chinese Guitar" and then to "Carry the Tiger over the Mountain". I think the form is really neat, even without the names of the sections.
Today, Sifu caught some mistakes I was making and corrected me. During Chinese Guitar, I have a tendency to not use my hips...actually, I have a tendency to not use them during most of the things I do, but she corrected me today. We practiced turning until I was able to turn my complete trunk. In Tai Chi, the entire trunk is from your neck down to just below your hips. I have a habit of forgetting that my hips are there, so when I turn, I put stress on my knees. Today was one of those "aha!" moments. The light came on After E left, I talked to Sifu and we went over Four Corners to Carry the Tiger over the Mountain, and then I showed her the opening of Kee Cho Hyung Il Bu (Basic form #1). I am actually using my hips and NOT flopping around or losing my balance. That's what I needed to be able to do. That form felt so much better than it's ever felt! I was pleased with myself for that! I don't feel like I was reaching past my knees (that's something I need to watch out for in Tai Chi) and I wasn't losing my balance. It made me happy to see how that went together. Tai Chi is about balance. I'm feeling like I saw a definite correlation between Tai Chi and Tang Soo Do.
I won't have another Tai Chi class until January 24th. I have a Zumba class starting on the 11th and running for a month. I'm seriously hoping that I see some weight loss sparked during that class as I'm sure it's going to be intense cardio. If that doesn't make me lose weight, I'm going to have a discussion with one of my doctors about that.
Friday, January 07, 2011
The results are back...
I lose my patience when it comes to waiting on word of "big" things. I waited until Wednesday, then gave up and called my doctor's office to find out the results of my biopsy. I found out that he had the report but hadn't read it. I left a message for him to call me back. That was Wednesday. Thursday morning, they called me back and told me that the results were back and the nodule and cyst on my thyroid are benign. I get to go back in six months for another ultrasound to monitor the thyroid and see if the nodules have changed at all.
So, no surgery for the thyroid. YAY!! That's a good thing.
I also have what they call a "branchial cleft cyst", which is a birth defect that appears in "young adulthood" (I'm a 'young adult'! LOL!!). It's a remnant from development that is basically just a bunch of cells that didn't divide/multiply/create anything else. It's left over from developing the various parts of the neck. If you're interested, you can read about it here: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/382803-overview
I asked the doctor's assistant if we had any ideas about when he was going to do something about the cyst. She said "I don't know." I asked if that was still going to be removed or if he's going to monitor that. She said again, "I really don't know." I asked her to find out, she said she would and would call me back. That was yesterday. I can't understand how she wouldn't have any information about that other surgery, but she doesn't. I may have to call the doctor again and leave a message for him.
I am not keen on the idea of being cut into, especially in the neck, but after my MRI, he said that the cause of the swelling in my face was caused by this cyst. He said that he was going to remove it since it is apparently 4cm. I'd really like to know if he's still planning on removing it. I'm not sure I'm going to get information from his assistant, so I may just write a letter to him and ask him IF he's planning on removing it and if so, when. I'd really like to have the ability to plan a vacation to Hawaii or wherever I can travel. I don't have the ability to plan at present. I have to wait until we know if I'm going to have surgery.
Waiting isn't my strong suit. I'm not patient enough (just ask my kids!) to wait...and wait...and wait.
So, no surgery for the thyroid. YAY!! That's a good thing.
I also have what they call a "branchial cleft cyst", which is a birth defect that appears in "young adulthood" (I'm a 'young adult'! LOL!!). It's a remnant from development that is basically just a bunch of cells that didn't divide/multiply/create anything else. It's left over from developing the various parts of the neck. If you're interested, you can read about it here: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/382803-overview
I asked the doctor's assistant if we had any ideas about when he was going to do something about the cyst. She said "I don't know." I asked if that was still going to be removed or if he's going to monitor that. She said again, "I really don't know." I asked her to find out, she said she would and would call me back. That was yesterday. I can't understand how she wouldn't have any information about that other surgery, but she doesn't. I may have to call the doctor again and leave a message for him.
I am not keen on the idea of being cut into, especially in the neck, but after my MRI, he said that the cause of the swelling in my face was caused by this cyst. He said that he was going to remove it since it is apparently 4cm. I'd really like to know if he's still planning on removing it. I'm not sure I'm going to get information from his assistant, so I may just write a letter to him and ask him IF he's planning on removing it and if so, when. I'd really like to have the ability to plan a vacation to Hawaii or wherever I can travel. I don't have the ability to plan at present. I have to wait until we know if I'm going to have surgery.
Waiting isn't my strong suit. I'm not patient enough (just ask my kids!) to wait...and wait...and wait.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Starting over
It is extremely frustrating to know that 4 years ago, I was in the best shape of my life. I was training for my black belt recertification test and felt great. I had been sick in '07 with Strep, lost a LOT of weight and managed to work hard and keep it off. Fast forward to 2011 and I'm back where I started with Weight Watchers in 2004. I'm heavier than I've been for a long time.
I'm frustrated by that. I'm irritated with myself for gaining weight. I haven't managed to keep off what I lost. I want to lose. I gained weight between last week and this week (my weigh in day for Weight Watchers is Sunday).
So...I am looking at getting myself some Nordic walking poles. I had the opportunity to get some last week but didn't. I have been reading reviews on pedometers as well. I am determined to get healthier this year. I had a biopsy of my thyroid on the 29th of December and am in a holding pattern, waiting to hear about that. I don't feel like anything's wrong, other than I am perpetually cold (my boss says I'm "old") and feel sluggish at times.
I'm going to borrow a thought a friend has. I'm not going to make a resolution because I will break it. Instead, I'm going to work on setting a few goals that are attainable. I am going to work on eating healthier food and work on getting more exercise in. In fact, my goal is to get my walking poles and walk this weekend.
I'm frustrated by that. I'm irritated with myself for gaining weight. I haven't managed to keep off what I lost. I want to lose. I gained weight between last week and this week (my weigh in day for Weight Watchers is Sunday).
So...I am looking at getting myself some Nordic walking poles. I had the opportunity to get some last week but didn't. I have been reading reviews on pedometers as well. I am determined to get healthier this year. I had a biopsy of my thyroid on the 29th of December and am in a holding pattern, waiting to hear about that. I don't feel like anything's wrong, other than I am perpetually cold (my boss says I'm "old") and feel sluggish at times.
I'm going to borrow a thought a friend has. I'm not going to make a resolution because I will break it. Instead, I'm going to work on setting a few goals that are attainable. I am going to work on eating healthier food and work on getting more exercise in. In fact, my goal is to get my walking poles and walk this weekend.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
1/1/11
At 2:44 in the afternoon on the first afternoon of a new year, you'd think I'd be doing something. I'm doing very little. It's a quiet afternoon for us. The kids are playing on their games/watching television while the hubby and I (and the cat) are watching football. The cat has claimed my lap as his bed and has been sitting on me constantly when I've been sitting. He's currently laying on my lap.
We have a pot of black eye peas on the stove, simmering. We used the bone from our Christmas ham in the peas for seasoning. It makes good use of the extra meat that we weren't able to pick off when we put up the ham. Black eye peas are a symbol of prosperity in the Southern part of the country. There are a ton of recipes for them. There are "Hopping John Peas", etc. It's always been a tradition in my family, although my mother never told me WHY we ate black eye peas on New Years. It wasn't until I had my own home that I realized what it was about.
Today is a great day. The sun is out, my family is reasonably healthy and happy. What more could a person want?
Happy New Year!
We have a pot of black eye peas on the stove, simmering. We used the bone from our Christmas ham in the peas for seasoning. It makes good use of the extra meat that we weren't able to pick off when we put up the ham. Black eye peas are a symbol of prosperity in the Southern part of the country. There are a ton of recipes for them. There are "Hopping John Peas", etc. It's always been a tradition in my family, although my mother never told me WHY we ate black eye peas on New Years. It wasn't until I had my own home that I realized what it was about.
Today is a great day. The sun is out, my family is reasonably healthy and happy. What more could a person want?
Happy New Year!
Friday, November 26, 2010
Christmas is around the corner
It's interesting how much my attention span has drifted over the past several months. I write when I feel like it, but I don't always write when I really think I should. I'm a stress writer--a lot of the things I am feeling come out when I'm trying to get pent up stress out. In that way, it's kind of like stress-eating, only I don't always write. Eating, on the other hand...
Anyway, it's hard to believe that it's been nearly a year since we bought our house. Oldest is in high school, officially at the "big" school (that's where 10-12 attend) and youngest is in a new school himself. He's had a lot going on this year...his class went to a place called Sky Ranch on a field trip for 3 days. This was his first time away from home without his family. It was quiet while he was gone. His sister didn't have anyone to argue with, so that wasn't happening. He came home in time to see her off to a football game, one of the few that I skipped this year.
Our football season is over now too, so we're getting ready to head into our concert season. I will miss the scramble to get her off to school in the mornings. She can now either ride the bus or I'll continue to take her in early. I have to be at work at 7:30, so she gets dropped off just before 7:00 a.m., usually. I'm very glad the school is open that early! She does have music lessons on Wednesdays with her flute teacher, so that's a good thing.
On the work front, I went in and talked to my manager about him promoting me to Supervisor. I'm sure it won't happen, but at least I put it out on the table for him to think about. I told him that I do enough in the department with training new people and the other administrative things. I didn't whine, but presented my case and told him that I thought it would be a good thing. He said he'd talk to our director. I'm not going to let myself get discouraged about it. It *was* unprecedented and I'm sure that he was surprised (just like I was) about the fact that I mentioned it to him. Whether or not anything happens, I can be proud of the fact that I said something.
Beyond that, not much else is going on. We started decorating our house a week ago, while it was still warm. I have a picture of my son going into the house, wearing shorts and walking bare-footed. This weekend, it's too cold. Last night we had our first freeze. A bit late, but there it is. Now it's officially sweater weather. I guess I've broken the "rules" because I have been wearing sweaters for a couple of weeks now. I don't care that the temps are in the 70s and 80s. I like being warm. At least I have a valid excuse now!
In a nutshell, that's it. Christmas is sneaking up on us. Time to look ahead to shopping, wrapping and getting ready for the holiday. I'm not going massively commercial this year. My kids may get a couple of presents each, but hubby and I have decided that this house is our Christmas present. We are going to enjoy our first Christmas.
Anyway, it's hard to believe that it's been nearly a year since we bought our house. Oldest is in high school, officially at the "big" school (that's where 10-12 attend) and youngest is in a new school himself. He's had a lot going on this year...his class went to a place called Sky Ranch on a field trip for 3 days. This was his first time away from home without his family. It was quiet while he was gone. His sister didn't have anyone to argue with, so that wasn't happening. He came home in time to see her off to a football game, one of the few that I skipped this year.
Our football season is over now too, so we're getting ready to head into our concert season. I will miss the scramble to get her off to school in the mornings. She can now either ride the bus or I'll continue to take her in early. I have to be at work at 7:30, so she gets dropped off just before 7:00 a.m., usually. I'm very glad the school is open that early! She does have music lessons on Wednesdays with her flute teacher, so that's a good thing.
On the work front, I went in and talked to my manager about him promoting me to Supervisor. I'm sure it won't happen, but at least I put it out on the table for him to think about. I told him that I do enough in the department with training new people and the other administrative things. I didn't whine, but presented my case and told him that I thought it would be a good thing. He said he'd talk to our director. I'm not going to let myself get discouraged about it. It *was* unprecedented and I'm sure that he was surprised (just like I was) about the fact that I mentioned it to him. Whether or not anything happens, I can be proud of the fact that I said something.
Beyond that, not much else is going on. We started decorating our house a week ago, while it was still warm. I have a picture of my son going into the house, wearing shorts and walking bare-footed. This weekend, it's too cold. Last night we had our first freeze. A bit late, but there it is. Now it's officially sweater weather. I guess I've broken the "rules" because I have been wearing sweaters for a couple of weeks now. I don't care that the temps are in the 70s and 80s. I like being warm. At least I have a valid excuse now!
In a nutshell, that's it. Christmas is sneaking up on us. Time to look ahead to shopping, wrapping and getting ready for the holiday. I'm not going massively commercial this year. My kids may get a couple of presents each, but hubby and I have decided that this house is our Christmas present. We are going to enjoy our first Christmas.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Homecoming 2010
As a teenager, I never went to a single football game. I didn't attend Homecoming or Proms.
I'm really excited that my daughter was asked to Homecoming by her boyfriend. After our last home game, while we were waiting for the buses to come pick us up to take us back to the high school, the band director let the kids borrow the microphone to ask their girlfriends to Homecoming. I was pleasantly surprised to hear my daughter's boyfriend ask her if she'd go to Homecoming with him. I yelled down the stairs "yes she will!", then sent her down to find him. She said yes (of course!). It was too cute!
So, fast foward a few weeks. We've been dress shopping, figured out (somewhat) what to do with her hair and if she wants to makeup. Then, tonight, her boyfriend brought her mum over. It is gorgeous! He made it with his mother and sister's help. The mum is just beautiful!! I really like it!
This is what he brought her:
It has their graduating year, their names on the ribbons, stars, band-related things, football related things, a ribbon or two for the school and it says "Sophomore" (they both are).
I really like it.
I haven't been familiar with mums because I never received one, but holy WOW!!! I can say that I am truly impressed. This mum is nearly as big as my daughter. I'm not joking! It'll hang around her neck and will JUST barely avoid hitting her feet! Tomorrow I'll get a picture of her with it on.
I can't wait!!
The band is going to get to wear their mums at the football game since it's Homecoming. I'll get to hold her mum while she's marching. I can give it back when she gets off the field.
Here are the kids:
He plays the trumpet, she plays the flute.
This was taken in the band hall at our last home game.
I'm really excited that my daughter was asked to Homecoming by her boyfriend. After our last home game, while we were waiting for the buses to come pick us up to take us back to the high school, the band director let the kids borrow the microphone to ask their girlfriends to Homecoming. I was pleasantly surprised to hear my daughter's boyfriend ask her if she'd go to Homecoming with him. I yelled down the stairs "yes she will!", then sent her down to find him. She said yes (of course!). It was too cute!
So, fast foward a few weeks. We've been dress shopping, figured out (somewhat) what to do with her hair and if she wants to makeup. Then, tonight, her boyfriend brought her mum over. It is gorgeous! He made it with his mother and sister's help. The mum is just beautiful!! I really like it!
This is what he brought her:
I really like it.
I haven't been familiar with mums because I never received one, but holy WOW!!! I can say that I am truly impressed. This mum is nearly as big as my daughter. I'm not joking! It'll hang around her neck and will JUST barely avoid hitting her feet! Tomorrow I'll get a picture of her with it on.
I can't wait!!
The band is going to get to wear their mums at the football game since it's Homecoming. I'll get to hold her mum while she's marching. I can give it back when she gets off the field.
Here are the kids:
He plays the trumpet, she plays the flute.
This was taken in the band hall at our last home game.
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Fly-by
Happiness is abundant in my home at present. My hot water heater has been repaired for a week now (and there was MUCH rejoicing!!) and I'm no longer NOT enjoying showers! I'm back to being happy about that. Of course, hubby has turned the heat down on the shower (which I WILL turn back up later!), but still, it works!!
We had a band competition last weekend that I worked at. Our band performed Dvorak's New World Symphony. The kids earned a 1 in Division, picked up fourth overall and the drumline earned first place. That's a feat to be proud of. The kids are off this weekend, except for the football game on Friday night, which is Homecoming. Saturday night is the Homecoming dance, which my daughter is going to with her boyfriend. The kids are having dinner at someone's house. The parents are catering it. I've been elected to bring a dessert and since I forgot to mention food to one of the girls' moms, I'll also provide salad.
Work has been hectic for me lately. I'm on the verge of asking my manager and director to promote me to Assistant Supervisor or Supervisor since I'm now taking on a LOT more responsibility in my job. I just need to sell myself to them. I'm handling the dealer installations, monitoring the phone queues while my manager is out and making sure that people are at their desks on time. I run the time sheets and make sure our service calls are dispatched accordingly. I really think it's time to get together with my managers.
We had a band competition last weekend that I worked at. Our band performed Dvorak's New World Symphony. The kids earned a 1 in Division, picked up fourth overall and the drumline earned first place. That's a feat to be proud of. The kids are off this weekend, except for the football game on Friday night, which is Homecoming. Saturday night is the Homecoming dance, which my daughter is going to with her boyfriend. The kids are having dinner at someone's house. The parents are catering it. I've been elected to bring a dessert and since I forgot to mention food to one of the girls' moms, I'll also provide salad.
Work has been hectic for me lately. I'm on the verge of asking my manager and director to promote me to Assistant Supervisor or Supervisor since I'm now taking on a LOT more responsibility in my job. I just need to sell myself to them. I'm handling the dealer installations, monitoring the phone queues while my manager is out and making sure that people are at their desks on time. I run the time sheets and make sure our service calls are dispatched accordingly. I really think it's time to get together with my managers.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Dead hot water heater
Replacing the thermo-coupling on the hot water heater, we thought, would resolve our hot water woes, but it did not. As soon as the water stops heating, the flame goes out. We finally broke down and contacted our home owner's warranty company. They're sending our information to a plumber, who will call me on Monday and schedule a time to come look at the water heater. I HOPE it doesn't involve a new water heater!! I haven't budgeted for that (yet).
The warranty people sent me an email and it's going to be the same guy who came out here last month to repair the hall bathroom. He's got to be wondering what the heck happened. We're wondering the same thing.
The warranty people sent me an email and it's going to be the same guy who came out here last month to repair the hall bathroom. He's got to be wondering what the heck happened. We're wondering the same thing.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Hot water
For the past couple of days, we've had a few issue with our hot water heater. I found out on Thursday that it wasn't heating up the water to full "scald your skin" hot. Hubby got COLD water (snicker!). The pilot light on the heater was out, so we re-lit it.
Friday morning, part two of the hot water heater saga. Pilot light was out again. A friend from work came over, showed me where the thermo-coupling was and re-lit the pilot light. About two hours after he left, the pilot light was out again. Now we're fairly sure we're going to have to replace the thermo-coupling. Fortunately, it seems to be a fairly straight-forward fix. We can do it ourselves. It's just a copper tube to screw into the control on one end and put down near the burner on the other end. Should be about a 15 minute fix. We can hope it is, anyway!!
Friday morning, part two of the hot water heater saga. Pilot light was out again. A friend from work came over, showed me where the thermo-coupling was and re-lit the pilot light. About two hours after he left, the pilot light was out again. Now we're fairly sure we're going to have to replace the thermo-coupling. Fortunately, it seems to be a fairly straight-forward fix. We can do it ourselves. It's just a copper tube to screw into the control on one end and put down near the burner on the other end. Should be about a 15 minute fix. We can hope it is, anyway!!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Martial arts change
Last week, I attended a meeting at the "Y" to hear what the fate of my present (??) martial arts school is. The "Y" is consolidating and they don't have room for a martial arts school there any longer. The owner is looking at other alternatives to the Y and is trying to make the transition as painless as possible for his students. I can honestly say that I was very impressed by his manner. He didn't blame anyone, he laid out the facts and he told people that he's not in it for the money. He wants to share his knowledge with people.
I went, although I haven't been to a class in months. I've felt increasingly more and more frustrated by my lack of progress, my memory lapses on forms I KNOW I know and the fact that I was told months ago that I'd never test because I was too "fat". Someone had also conveniently told me that I should never have entered this program as a black belt because I didn't know their ways. I was mad, sad and annoyed and I think I let it get the best of me. I think it was a contributing factor to my leaving the school for an extended break. I needed to work past that.
I'm not sure I'll be welcome back to my school. I told my instructor that I was having a crisis and that my husband wasn't sure I was learning anything. That made him (my instructor) highly annoyed and he responded to me that he was very sorry that we felt I wasn't learning and that I wasn't willing to give learning a chance at his school. He wasn't rude about it, but I felt like he was making it clear that I insulted him and the Dans.
When I attended this meeting, only 3 of the Dans spoke to me. The instructor was busy with the "real" people in the school. He never acknowledged that I was there and I guess that stings a little. I just wish I could have had him put himself into MY shoes for a while. Ah well. I'm working on it, a little at a time.
I'm presently enrolled in Tai Chi classes. I'm going to concentrate on that for a while. I'm learning a 64 move form that is very soothing, very interesting and best of all...I have no need to compare myself to anyone else in where I am in the form!!!! In my TSD classes, I found myself constantly comparing my performance to the others in the class. In Tai Chi, I am focusing within, on my breathing. I can tune out everything except the instructor. It's nice.
I think I owe Michele, from another blog, a word of thanks for that. Michele suggested, through a posting about keeping in touch with your instructor if you're on a hiatus, to realize that I'm being respectful. I DO talk to at least one Dan, so that keeps me up with the school.
Once I get my mind rearranged around my martial arts, then we'll see where the wind blows. Who knows? Maybe I will find an Okinawan Kenpo teacher somewhere and I'll *really* start out fresh...
I went, although I haven't been to a class in months. I've felt increasingly more and more frustrated by my lack of progress, my memory lapses on forms I KNOW I know and the fact that I was told months ago that I'd never test because I was too "fat". Someone had also conveniently told me that I should never have entered this program as a black belt because I didn't know their ways. I was mad, sad and annoyed and I think I let it get the best of me. I think it was a contributing factor to my leaving the school for an extended break. I needed to work past that.
I'm not sure I'll be welcome back to my school. I told my instructor that I was having a crisis and that my husband wasn't sure I was learning anything. That made him (my instructor) highly annoyed and he responded to me that he was very sorry that we felt I wasn't learning and that I wasn't willing to give learning a chance at his school. He wasn't rude about it, but I felt like he was making it clear that I insulted him and the Dans.
When I attended this meeting, only 3 of the Dans spoke to me. The instructor was busy with the "real" people in the school. He never acknowledged that I was there and I guess that stings a little. I just wish I could have had him put himself into MY shoes for a while. Ah well. I'm working on it, a little at a time.
I'm presently enrolled in Tai Chi classes. I'm going to concentrate on that for a while. I'm learning a 64 move form that is very soothing, very interesting and best of all...I have no need to compare myself to anyone else in where I am in the form!!!! In my TSD classes, I found myself constantly comparing my performance to the others in the class. In Tai Chi, I am focusing within, on my breathing. I can tune out everything except the instructor. It's nice.
I think I owe Michele, from another blog, a word of thanks for that. Michele suggested, through a posting about keeping in touch with your instructor if you're on a hiatus, to realize that I'm being respectful. I DO talk to at least one Dan, so that keeps me up with the school.
Once I get my mind rearranged around my martial arts, then we'll see where the wind blows. Who knows? Maybe I will find an Okinawan Kenpo teacher somewhere and I'll *really* start out fresh...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)